Dr. Arethusa Kirk, Chief Medical Officer United Healthcare Community Plan, says a pediatrician's central message still remains the same amid the COVID-19 pandemic: get vaccinated before returning to school.
As students return to school, some may be returning without their regular vaccinations at an alarming rate.
Fox 55's mallory beard spoke with a physician about why parents are more reluctant to take their children to the doctor's office this year than before.
While experts around the word work to find a covid-19 vaccine ... dr. arethusa kirk says it's important parents don't ignore vaccines already available.
Dr. arethusa kirk// chief medical officer unitedhealthcare"as children do go back into the schools, it's really important that children have the vaccines that are required and are important to protect not only the child and their family but the rest of society from communicable diseases ."
Parents have shied away from taking their kids to get vaccines since the coronavirus pandemic.
Carrie miller//fwcs parent "i am very much pro vaccine.
But i've very much realized that there's a shift that's kind of happened where people are moving more holistically and not getting vaccines.
There are children that are already in schools that are unvaccinated.
And at a much higher rate."
Kirk says flu shots are especially important as fall arrives.
Combined with covid-19, she says physicians don't know the full effect the duo can have on someone just yet.
"standing alone and aside from covid, we do know that flu is substantial in producing disease and we do want to prevent that."
But kirk says another vaccine is taking the back seat when it comes to students returning to school.
"one of the vaccines that's most important that we're focusing on is measles."
One fort wayne community schools parent says she knew this school year was going to be different for parents and students alike.
Carrie miller//fwcs parent "i was reading through fwcs...if you have a signed medical note or a letter stating religious exemption that your child can attend school without being vaccinated."
But she says most parents are trying make adjustments along the way.
Carrie miller//fwcs parent "we all do what's best for our families.
I do what's best for my children to my beliefs and other children do what's best for them and at some point you've got to put it in the hands of god and know that we've tried our best."
In fort wayne, i'm mallory beard fox 55 news .
If you're looking for locations to get vaccinated, check out this story on our website
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